Pot-filled suitcase in lost and found leads to 3 arrests

KENNER, La. (AP) — Authorities in Louisiana arrested three people after a woman tried to claim a suitcase filled with marijuana in an airport's lost and found section.

NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports deputies found about 10 pounds of marijuana in the suitcase at Louis Armstrong International Airport on June 29. The next day 38-year-old Safiya Zina attempted to claim the suitcase.

Zina told the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies she was paid $1,000 to take the bag from California to New Orleans and exchange it for money. Investigators allowed the exchange to take place and arrested 27-year-old Michael Lewis along with 29-year-old Sarah Abd-Elaziz.

Zina was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Lewis and Abd-Elaziz were charged with conspiracy to possess or distribute drugs.